Vaisala's Latest Lightning Warning System Soon to Be Operational

Vaisala is making available its third-generation automated lightning threat identification and warning system, which it expects to have operational at 11 airports in the U.S., Canada and Thailand, by the end of this year.

The TWX300 uses real-time lightning information from Vaisala's lightning detection networks in combination with on-site electric field mills to analyze approaching thunderstorms, and those that may develop overhead, to determine their threat level in a user-defined area. It then sends warnings and all-clear messages through remote alarm display systems, email notifications and relays.

Vaisala's main goal for the system - besides of course safety - is to "eliminate the subjective nature of ceasing activities due to the threat of lightning in a particular area," according to Nic Wilson, Vaisala's TWX300 product manager.

The introduction of the TWX300 has also given Vaisala and the larger meteorological community an opportunity for research advancement. Vaisala recently entered into cooperative partnership agreements with the Tucson Airport Authority and American Airlines at Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport.  The partnerships are designed to better understand how lightning effects airport ground operations.  Each partner will use the TWX300 to manage lightning ground stops and all-clears, providing local system archive information to Vaisala Thunderstorm's Research and Applications group.  This information will support ongoing research efforts to improve thunderstorm warning methodologies.

The TWX300 replaces Vaisala's TWX1200 that was an important advancement in thunderstorm prediction, lightning tracking and automation when introduced in 2004. 10-19-2007.

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